Page:The Deipnosophists (Volume 3).djvu/346

How sanction'd by the laws, of origin
Clearly divine; while other useful arts
Are but th' inventions of the human mind,
This stands preeminent the gift of gods,
For Jupiter the friend first practised it.
Whatever door was open to receive him,
Without distinction, whether rich or poor,
He enter'd without bidding; if he saw
The couch well spread, the table well supplied,
It was enough, he ate and drank his fill,
And then retired well satisfied, but paid
No reckoning to his host. Just so do I.
If the door opens, and the board is spread,
I step me in, though an unbidden guest,
Sit down with silent caution, and take care
To give no trouble to the friend that's near me;
When I have eat, and fill'd my skin with wine,
Like Jupiter the friend, I take my leave.
Thus was the office fair and honourable,
As you will freely own, by what succeeds.
Our city, which was ever used to pay
Both worship and respect to Hercules,
When sacrifices were to be prepared,
Chose certain parasites t' officiate,
In honour of the god, but did not make
This choice by lot, nor take the first that offer'd,
But from the higher ranks, and most esteem'd
Of all the citizens, they fix'd on twelve,
Of life and manners irreproachable,
Selected for this purpose. Thus at length
The rich, in imitation of these rites,
Adopted the same custom, chose them out
From th' herd of parasites, such as would suit
Their purpose best, to nourish and protect.
Unluckily, they did not fix upon
The best and most respectable, but on
Such wretches as would grossly flatter them,
Ready to say or swear to anything;
And should their patrons puff their fetid breath,
Tainted with onions, or stale horseradish,
Full in their faces, they would call't a breeze